Max Verstappen sends ‘kindergarten’ message to Lando Norris after US Grand Prix incident

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The late incident between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris was perhaps the biggest talking point from last weekend’s US Grand Prix. It even overshadowed a comfortable 1-2 for Ferrari.

Norris pitted for hard tyres six laps later than Verstappen and used that advantage to reel him in. The McLaren driver had started on pole but fell to fourth after failing to close the door on his rival.

The front two made fairly even getaways, but Verstappen spotted a gap on the inside, with both cars running wide in a fairly typical turn-one incident. That allowed Charles Leclerc to snatch the lead from fourth.

Norris had lost two points to Verstappen in the Sprint race, and spurned the opportunity to claw at least seven back on Sunday. But he could still have made a net gain had he cleanly passed the Dutchman.

Verstappen defended in accomplished fashion until lap 52, when Norris got much closer on the exit of turn 11. He edged ahead of the RB20 by the time they reached the braking zone at the end of the DRS straight.

However, neither driver backed off, with Verstappen asserting himself on the inside of the corner and Norris keeping his foot in even as he went off the track. The Briton would complete the move, but then receive a five-second penalty.

Max Verstappen dismisses criticism over Lando Norris tactics at US Grand Prix

Norris said over the radio that he was ‘ahead at the apex’ and pointed out that Verstappen ‘also went off’ in defence. However, the stewards controversially ruled out that he’d left the track and gained an advantage.

Addressing the incident in an interview with Canal+, Verstappen insisted ‘we’re not in kindergarten’. He maintained that his tactics constituted fair racing.

In addition to extending his lead to 57 points, he may also have landed a psychological blow. Norris wasn’t able to overtake him cleanly despite a clear pace advantage.

“I didn’t push anyone out,” Verstappen said. “We didn’t touch. I tried to make the corner. I was on full lock. It’s racing. We’re not in kindergarten.”

Jenson Button frustrated by Max Verstappen ‘problem’ after Lando Norris penalty

Damon Hill felt Verstappen should have been penalised based on an earlier incident involving George Russell. The stewards handed Russell five seconds for forcing Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas off the track.

Hill was confused as to why the Red Bull driver escaped punishment for a similar incident. Many have called for changes to F1’s racing rules after the configuration of the Austin circuit exposed potential loopholes.

Indeed, Jenson Button believes Verstappen highlighted a ‘problem’ with the regulations. In Button’s eyes, drivers are ready to let the car ‘fly’ through a corner as long as they’re ahead at the apex in wheel-to-wheel wheel combat.

Some have called for the installation of a gravel trap to disincentivise running wide. But Verstappen pointed out in the post-race press conference that this could cause problems for motorcycle racing and track days.